Bochy: Sergio Romo will be SF Giants Opening Day closer, but …

That headline might sound like a “no duh” given that Sergio Romo closed all three postseason series clinchers. But manager Bruce Bochy in comments this offseason had suggested he will prepare to use other relievers to close as well.

During this morning’s FanFest media day, Bochy made it clear that Romo will not be competing for the closer’s role this spring, but will get the “lion’s share” of save situations.

“He’s earned that,” Bochy said. “Sergio, just the way he threw the ball at the end of last season, he earned the right to be out there as we start the season.”

Here’s the but…

“At the same time,” Bochy said, “we’d like to to watch his workload to make sure we keep him healthy.”

Thus, while others might closer games, it would be wrong to say there will be a “committee.” Romo is The Man, but he might not be The Man four nights in a row, or five times in seven days.

“He hasn’t been asked to do that,” general manager Brain Sabean said.

Romo has had elbow issues, and therein lies the concern. He also will pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic before the regular season begins. Therefore, management wants to be watchful and prudent when the season begins.

But Bochy made it clear that, caution aside, Romo’s performance as the primary closer down the stretch in 2012 and in the postseason means that Romo is the closer.

In other news:

General manager Brian Sabean said the team and Buster Posey are open to discussing a long-term contract this spring.

Sabean does not envision a contract extension for Tim Lincecum before the season ends, which makes sense given last year. Lincecum will be eligible for free agency for the first time after 2013.

Barry Zito, whose contract will expire after the season unless he throws 200 innings to kick in an $18 million option, said he wants to continue pitching for the Giants and, in fact, would like to end his career in San Francisco. “He’s in the same boat (as Lincecum),” Sabean said. “We’re open-minded on anybody who can help the organization.”

Bochy saw Pablo Sandoval for the first time Friday and acknowledged the third baseman needs to get his weight down again. “We do have some work to do to get him ready for the sea on,” Bochy said. “He needs to shed a few pounds. He did well down there (in Venezuela). He’ll be at the WBC. At the same time, he’ll do some work on the conditioning side.”

Even as spring training is about to begin, Sabean will look at potential free agents who can help the team, but only on minor-league contracts with a spring invite. That would seem to preclude a big-league deal with Brian Wilson if Wilson has a change of heart and is willing to return with a low-base deal. Sabean has seen no evidence that might happen, saying it’s “our stance versus their stance,” which is Wilson’s desire for a bigger guaranteed deal.

Sabean said he made an “overture” to infielder Ryan Theriot around the winter meetings, but since then the Giants have “lost contact” with Theriot, who is believed to be looking for more playing time than he would get in San Francisco.

Starter Eric Surkamp, who had Tommy John surgery in July, is throwing at 90 feet and hopes to return this July, 12 months after the operation.

Sabean, asked if Angel Villalona’s presence in camp would be a distraction, said, “I don’t know how he would be. He’s been cleared by Major League Baseball and he’s had his visa processed. He’ll just be another player in camp.”

Romo declined to comment on the Las Vegas incident. Prosecutors elected not to file charges against Romo stemming from his alleged altercation with TSA agents at the airport on New Year’s Day.